Who is Paul Whelan, Former US Marine Imprisoned in Russian Labor Camp?
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Following the U.S.-Russia prisoner exchange that saw WNBA star Brittney Griner, who was arrested in Russia in February, freed in exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, another imprisoned American, Paul Whelan, is receiving media attention and increased calls for his release.
Who is Whelan?: Whelan, 52, is a former U.S. Marine that served in Iraq and was later dishonorably discharged for larceny. Following his service, he went on to work in Michigan at BorgWarner, an auto-manufacturer. In late 2018, Whelan traveled to Russia to attend a wedding. While there, he was arrested by the Russian Federal Security Service.
Why Was He Arrested?: Russian authorities claim Whelan traveled to Russia as part of an intelligence operation. Authorities allege that while in Russia, Whelan met with a Russian citizen and acquired a USB drive that contained classified materials. In 2020, Whelan was sentenced to 16 years in prison and is currently being held at a labor camp. Speaking with CNN following Griner’s release, Whelan stated that he “was arrested for a crime that never occurred.”
How the Media is Covering It: Whelan’s ongoing imprisonment is being brought back up across the spectrum in light of him not being included in the exchange. Fox News stated Whelan was “left behind,” and outlined how the Biden Administration sought to include Whelan in the exchange, but Russia refused. CNN interviewed Whelan over the phone, where he expressed disappointment and described the conditions of the Russian labor camp.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Right
Who is Paul Whelan? Former US Marine left behind in Brittney Griner-Viktor Bout exchange
The United States government completed a prisoner exchange with Russia on Thursday after months of negotiations that resulted in the release of Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout for American women's basketball athlete Brittney Griner but left behind former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan.
Initially, the Biden administration had sought to release both Griner and Whelan for the notorious "Merchant of Death," who has served 11 years of a 25-year conviction, but the Kremlin gave the U.S. the option of only Griner's return or no deal at all. The female athlete was...
From the Left
Paul Whelan tells CNN he is ‘disappointed’ that more has not been done to secure his release
Detained American Paul Whelan expressed his frustration that more has not been done to secure his release in an exclusive CNN interview hours after another detained American, Brittney Griner, was freed.
Whelan said he was happy that Griner was released, but told CNN, “I am greatly disappointed that more has not been done to secure my release, especially as the four year anniversary of my arrest is coming up.”
“I was arrested for a crime that never occurred,” he said in a phone call from the penal colony where he...
From the Center
Who is Paul Whelan, the ex-US Marine jailed in Russia?
Following the release of basketball star Brittney Griner from Russian captivity, US President Joe Biden faces fresh questions about another imprisoned American: former US marine Paul Whelan.
Mr Whelan, 52, was given a 16-year jail sentence in 2020 after being arrested in Moscow on suspicion of spying in 2018.
The Michigan native was not part of the prisoner swap which saw Ms Griner exchanged for convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout - an omission that his brother has called a "catastrophe for Paul".
At a news conference on Thursday, President...
AllSides Picks
September 17th, 2024
September 16th, 2024
More News about World from the Left, Center and Right
From the Left
From the Center
From the Right
